Emery Drops Bombshell: Watkins & Martinez Could Exit Villa
Aston Villa’s Summer Shake-Up: What’s Happening With Your Favorite Players?
Published: August 21, 2026 | By: ESPN Soccer
The Big Picture: A Summer of Change at Villa Park
Imagine your favorite team is like a Lego castle. Every summer, some bricks get moved around—some taken away, new ones added. That’s exactly what’s happening at Aston Villa right now. Their manager, Unai Emery, just gave a press conference (that’s a fancy word for "talk with reporters") before their first Premier League game of the season against Brighton on Sunday.
Here’s the simple version: Two of their biggest stars might be leaving, but the club has already bought replacements.
Who Might Be Leaving?
1. Ollie Watkins – The Star Striker
- Who is he? England’s starting striker. Think of him as the guy whose job is to put the ball in the net.
- What’s happening? Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal has made four offers to buy him. Villa said "no" to all four.
- But… Emery admitted there’s an "issue" with Watkins. Translation: Watkins might want to leave, and if the price is right, Villa will sell.
- Emery’s exact words: "If it is a good option for him, good option for the club and I can replace him in the squad."
2. Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez – The World Cup Winner
- Who is he? Argentina’s goalkeeper. He helped them win the 2022 World Cup. He’s the last line of defense.
- What’s happening? He’s asked to leave two summers in a row. Last year he stayed and played great. This year, he’s asking again.
- Villa’s plan: They already signed Zion Suzuki (a Japanese goalkeeper) as his replacement.
Who’s Already Gone?
| Player | Position | New Club |
|---|---|---|
| Ezri Konsa | Defender | Arsenal (confirmed Friday!) |
| Morgan Rogers | Forward | Left earlier this summer |
| Lucas Digne | Left-back | Left earlier this summer |
| Youri Tielemans | Midfielder | Left earlier this summer |
That’s FOUR key players gone in one summer!
The New Faces: Villa’s "Intelligent Market"
Emery isn’t panicking. He says Villa has had an "intelligent market"—meaning they planned ahead and bought smart replacements before selling anyone.
Here Are the 6 New Signings:
- Zion Suzuki – Goalkeeper (Japan) → Martínez replacement
- Johan Manzambi – Young defender
- João Gomes – Midfielder (Brazil)
- Matteo Ruggeri – Left-back (Italy)
- Alejandro Garnacho – Winger (Argentina) → Big name from Manchester United!
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka – Right-back (England) → Also from Manchester United!
Emery’s Take: "I’m very excited, I think we have had an intelligent market. We know where we are and we know what we want to do again for the next year."
What Does This Mean for Sunday’s Game?
- Watkins is still a Villa player right now.
- Martínez is still a Villa player right now.
- The transfer window closes in about 10 days.
- Emery says: "If he stays with us, he is going to continue playing his level."
So both could play against Brighton… or both could be gone by next week. Welcome to modern football!
Important Points to Remember
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Villa is rebuilding, not collapsing. They sold stars after buying replacements.
- Watkins & Martínez want new challenges. It’s not that Villa doesn’t want them—it’s that the players want to test themselves elsewhere.
- The "Saudi Factor": Al Hilal’s money is tempting. The Saudi Pro League has been buying big names (like Neymar, Ronaldo, Benzema).
- Emery trusts his plan. He’s won the Europa League 4 times. He knows how to build a squad.
Summary: The TL;DR Version
- Aston Villa lost 4 players this summer (Konsa to Arsenal, plus Rogers, Digne, Tielemans).
- Two MORE stars might leave: Ollie Watkins (to Saudi Arabia) and Emiliano Martínez (wants a new challenge).
- But Villa already bought 6 new players including Garnacho and Wan-Bissaka from Man United.
- Manager Unai Emery calls it an "intelligent market"—plan first, sell second.
- Decision time: ~10 days left in the transfer window. Then the squad is locked in for the season.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Why would Watkins go to Saudi Arabia instead of staying in the Premier League?
A: Money. Simple as that. Saudi clubs offer wages that are 3-4x what Premier League clubs can pay. For a player in his late 20s, it’s a life-changing payday for his family.
Q: Is Aston Villa getting weaker or stronger?
A: On paper, they’ve lost experience but added youth and talent. Garnacho and Wan-Bissaka are proven Premier League players. Suzuki is highly rated. It’s a different team, not necessarily a worse one.
Q: What happens if Watkins leaves and they don’t replace him?
A: Emery said he won’t let Watkins go "unless I can replace him in the squad." So don’t worry—they have a plan.
Q: Why does Martínez want to leave after winning everything with Argentina?
A: Top players want new challenges. He’s won the World Cup, Copa América, and been Villa’s hero. Now he might want to test himself at a Champions League club or try a new league.
Q: When does the transfer window close?
A: Around August 31st (about 10 days from now). After that, no more buying or selling until January.
Final Thought
Football is a business, but it’s also a story. Villa’s story this summer is: "Out with the old heroes, in with the new hope." Whether that story has a happy ending? We’ll find out starting Sunday at Brighton.
Up the Villa!
Want to stay updated? Follow ESPN Soccer for the latest transfer news as the window winds down!